Minneapolis mayor calls on National Guard to tackle riots over police killing of black man
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is seeking help from the National Guard to control a wave of violent riots across the state, following the police killing of unarmed black civilian George Floyd.
Following widespread looting, a shooting, and police using tear gas on Wednesday night, Frey has asked for the state’s National Guard to be deployed.
The mayor said he has spoken with the governor’s office “several times” about the riots, and has also requested the help of state police.
Police firing from the roof of the precinct. pic.twitter.com/P0QYhTt67A
— Sophia Narwitz (@SophNar0747) May 28, 2020
“I cannot risk the safety of innocent people and so that is what I've been sworn to uphold and that is what I am dedicated to do,” Frey told a local NBC affiliate. “We can have both things. We can have peaceful demonstrations, but I also have to ensure the safety of everyone in the city.”
Governor Tim Waltz tweeted on Wednesday night that protests had created an “extremely dangerous situation,” and advised citizens to avoid certain areas in the state.
This is where I almost got hit by some rubber bullets, but it was worth it for this footage. pic.twitter.com/gMl73v8AOo
— Sophia Narwitz (@SophNar0747) May 28, 2020
Videos from the city show scenes of chaos, with rioters looting and burning entire buildings to the ground.
Minneapolis is burning down. No law enforcement anywhere. BLM and Antifa run the city today.The police and mayor gave up. #Minneapolis#BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/6zWvmDBpiU
— ₿itcoin - ₿eans - ₿ullets (@TruthRaiderHQ) May 28, 2020
Housing complex construction site on 29th/26th is on the verge of collapse. Heat is so intense you can feel blocks away. pic.twitter.com/sXbmQyzHCz
— Liz Sawyer (@ByLizSawyer) May 28, 2020
There have also been reports of a homicide as police are investigating an alleged looter being shot by a pawn shop owner.
Also on rt.com Minneapolis police investigate ‘homicide’ amid reports of ‘looter shot dead by pawn shop owner’Businesses including Target and AutoZone were reportedly looted, and Minneapolis police have been supported by nearby St. Paul officers.
Never in my life had I imagined I'd see violence and destruction in my home city like I saw tonight. I went to high school two blocks from here. Lake St. and 26th Ave. S. pic.twitter.com/3ez1UyyxtX
— Mark Vancleave 🎥+📰=🎉 (@MDVancleave) May 28, 2020
The protests, which the mayor says began “peacefully,” started following the death of local black man Floyd in a case of suspected police brutality. Video of the incident shows an officer with a knee on Floyd’s neck, suffocating him as he struggles to breathe. Floyd was unarmed.
The mayor has called for the officer to be charged, saying if he had been a man of color, he’d “already be behind bars.”
If you like this story, share it with a friend!
